Jefferson Airplane "Takes Off" 1966****

I was preparing to present Paul Kantner's "Blows Against The Empire" as a small tribute to the recently departed guitarist/singer/songwriter of Jefferson Airplane. Then, while compiling a list of musicians that died in 2016, I found out that another former member had perished, coincidentally on the very same day. It was Signe Toly Anderson, co-singer of the band's first incarnation. She was later replaced by the much more flamboyant Grace Slick, but still left her mark on the first Jefferson Airplane LP. So I decided to present that album instead and dedicate it to both of them.

Yes, I know you don't recognise this cover. That's because this LP is a German reissue from 1974. It happened sometimes, European record companies releasing albums with alternate covers. I don't know what possessed them to do it - exactly how does a cover like that boost sales? Maybe they thought it'd look Floydian what with the cows and everything. Maybe they were trying to pass it off as a new release - their last album ("30 Seconds Over Winterland") had come out in '73. Ex-members had in the meanwhile formed Jefferson Starship, as in "an evolved, better, version of the old band" but some fans could have been fooled by the appearance of a "new" Airplane record in the stores. If they did, they'd be in for a surprise. This is a different band to the one that made "Surrealistic Pillow" and "Volunteers" - a lighter one, both musically and lyrically. It was formed in August 1965 by a couple of folkies, Marty Balin and Paul Kantner. They were soon joined by vocalist Signe Anderson, blues guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, versatile jazz bassist Jack Casady and singer/drummer Skip Spence. An incredible collection of talent, as most of them would prove to be great singers, guitarists and songwriters. Yet on this first album, Balin is definitely the leader, co-writing most of the songs and assuming most of the lead vocals. His tenor voice doesn't have much power or range but he sings the high notes with ease and forms beautiful harmonies with the other members. Opener "Blues From An Airplane" is a brooding piece of psychedelia with ragga-like guitars and intricate harmonies. Before its time, as the album was recorded between December '65 and March '66. "Let Me In" and "Bringing Me Down" are more typical '66 garage folk. The former features a great Kantner lead vocal and Kaukonen guitar solo, but fell victim to the censors who cut half the song, convinced that the title was a clear invitation for sex. "It's No Secret" is another excellent psychedelic love song and "Tobacco Road" a rolling blues number. "Come Up The Years" is an aching love song with Byrds-y harmonies and inventive instrumentation using glockenspiel. "Run Around" is more proto-psychedelia while "Let's Get Together" is an early version of the Dino Valenti folk song that became later famous by The Youngbloods and came to be regarded by hippies as a sort of national anthem ("Hey people now/Smile on your brother/Let me see you get together/Love one another right now"). "Don't Slip Away" is a fantastic jangly folk rocker and a touching plea for love. "Chauffeur Blues" is the sole pure blues of the collection as well Signe's only solo spot - and she brings down the house, proving she was every bit as powerful a vocalist as her celebrated successor. Not to be outdone, Balin delivers a gut-wrenching performance in the bluesy "And I Like It" which closes the album. By the time the album hit the market (4 months after its recording, what with the censorship problems and all) Anderson was heavily pregnant and unable to tour with the group, so they appropriated the lead singer from another local group, Great Society. That was Grace Slick who proved to be a dynamic vocalist as well as the ultimate poster girl for the hippy generation. With the further replacement of Skip Spence (a talented singer/songwriter but amateurish drummer) by Spencer Dryden, the airplane was ready to soar even higher...

***** for Blues From An Airplane, It's No Secret

**** for Let Me In, Bringing Me Down, Tobacco Road, Come Up The Years, Let's Get Together, Don't Slip Away, Chauffeur Blues, And I Like It

*** for Run Around